Middle East

Jan. 28, 2014 | 07:17 PM (Last updated: January 28, 2014 | 11:02 PM)

Army makes first push toward Aleppo in a year

Syrians walk along a destroyed street following a reported airstrike by government forces on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on January 28, 2014. Syria's warring sides will not meet again at peace talks in Geneva, the opposition said, after a morning session broke up with the regime accusing Washington of "arming terrorists". AFP PHOTO / AMC / FADI AL-HALABI

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The Syrian army is edging its way toward southeastern Aleppo as it battles rebel fighters for control of the northern city, a monitor and a pro-government daily said Tuesday.

The troops have gained some ground in Aleppo in the past few weeks, taking advantage of the fact that rebels who hold large swathes of territory have turned their guns against jihadist fighters.

It also said the operation had been launched from Nairab airport in the east, as well as the village of Azizeh in the south, adding that it had reached the outskirts of Maysar, a rebel bastion in southeast Aleppo.

Aleppo has been devastated by fighting between government and rebel forces that began in mid-2012 .

In the south of Damascus, fighting raged between rebels and troops loyal to Assad, killing eight opposition fighters and 15 soldiers, the monitoring group added.

Five Nusra fighters were killed as were three combatants from other rebel groups, he said.